DIY Beauty Treatments

[easterspring]

I know there are far more important things to consider at this time but I thought I'd start a thread on DIY beauty treatments.

Has anyone had any success or failure with beauty treatments we now have to do ourselves?

To start the ball rolling I used hair remover creme for sensitive skin for my upper lip. I've ended up with a red rash!

Not sure if I should start dying my hair myself ......

Only once did I try hair removing cream. I had raw underarms.

Ouch. Leave it alone or if you have calendula cream it will help calm the skin and speed up healing. Chamomile compress would be soothing as well but otherwise don’t touch it. You’ll be fine very quicky.

I think we should continue to look after ourselves, it is about wellbeing, self care and self respect. Besides, a lot of people would have the time but no access to paid for services and some wouldn’t have the money to spend if they lost their job.

If you will attempt hair dye, you absolutely must do a patch test (inside arm 24h I think). Afterwards do a strand test underneath at the back.

Some colours come up blocky without shades so look for a brand claiming to be multi tonal. I suspect you mean doing your roots. If the colour is close enough to want you want you’d get away with it for four weeks but it might not suit your skin tone. Unless you know the exact brand and shade you need (email your hair salon?)

I do all of my own treatments apart from hair trimming. Had my fair share of near misses but survived to tell the tale. However, I am always, always testing first and have been at it for a very long time.

I’ve never used hair removal cream, the smell is too strong for me and I got scared it might burn my skin. I just didn’t get the right vibe so not for me and can’t share any advice on that.

Feel free to ask any questions. I’m surprised there hasn’t been a thread on this already - it is important. I’m no specialist but I like the topic and like finding out what others do.

I was wondering about attempting to wax my own eyebrows but think it might be too much of a challenge so can always pluck them instead. Although currently have done neither of these options!

Branster - thanks that's good advice. Do you have any recommendations for removing upper lip hair? If the lockdown continues for several months I am going to end up looking like Magnus PI lol 😀

Sorry ... Magnum PI

😂😂😂
The only way I’d do it myself would be waxing. The least painful DIY method for that area in my experience. But everyone is different.
If you are using retinoids, you shouldn’t do it though.
If it’s just the odd longer hair just pluck it.
In my case I do it very rarely because the hair is very light and not much of it so not noticeable, so I probably do it a couple of times a year just for the sake of it.
Test the wax isn’t hot first on the back of your hand or inside of your wrist, apply a tiny bit in the direction from middle of lip towards the corner of the mouth. use the spatula in the box or a wooden stick from an in cream lolly as it’s more precise. You want a fairly thin layer. Press, smooth with fingers same direction from middle of lip towards corner of mouth, then remove the strip in one go but pull from the direction of corner of the mouth towards the nose - opposite to how you applied. Then do another bit and another bit. I think small areas first are better for beginner level - that’s what worked for me anyway. Then the other side. You may only need to do from the corner of the mouth to halfway in the middle of your lip.
It will hurt a bit but not as bad as waxing underarms. Take a couple of paracetamols half an hour before if you are worried about the pain. The most uncomfortable it feels is actually afterward as it stings. If you haven’t got an alcohol based disinfectant wipe (nobody has them nowadays and it stings but you must make sure the area is clean), just wash gently with lukewarm water, let dry, apply aloe Vera if you have it (from a plant or a gel would do), look in amazement at the reddness left behind and just leave it to recover. As opposed to the reaction you got from the cream which was more of a burn, this is irritation from pulling the hairs out so skin will calm down in half a day, it doesn’t need to heal as such. Keep it clean and dry to avoid spots. Skin needs to be dry (not wet or oily) before you start, if you apply a very very light dusting of talcum powder that helps as well. Cut the strips of cloth so they are quite narrow and not very long. Have them at the ready. You want to do small bits at a time and not faff about with a big piece of cloth.
Remember you can always wash the wax off if you chicken out, use warm water and a cloth.
Also, it might be a good idea to progress in a symmetrical fashion so if you do decide to stop halfway, at least it looks ok.
As you get more confident with it, you’ll find doing one side in one go is a lot easier. Job done in minutes. Rome wasn’t built in a day and this is the best time to experiment. Maybe do a bit every day until it’s all gone and you get used to it.
I’ve never had it done at a beauty salon so don’t know what the standard method would be.
I use Veet in a jar. Not the stripless one. It’s called oriental something. Heat up in microwave or in a pot of boiling water on the hob.. I tried Nars many years ago and it was too sticky for me and I couldn’t work with it. I went through a phase of home made sugaring but it was too much of a hassle so went back to Veet.
I once tried a tool from Amazon, it’s a flexible coiled spring with two handles and you roll it over your face. It grabs and pulls the hairs all over the face as you roll it across. I found it very painful so threw it away.
I haven’t tried any other methods and have zero knowledge about threading. Never tried an epilator either, hairs are too fine and would break I think.

Found one of those dark hairs on my cheek this morning - no idea how long I’ve been living with it, I swear it wasn’t there the day before. Every now and then it comes up without any warning!

Well this has been a very coherent post and I haven’t even been drinking! Sorry but please ask, in my head it makes sense, my writing probably not so much!

Thanks so much for your advice! Really appreciate it

Ive started dermaplaning using veet dermaplaning tool or eyebrow razor, removes all unwanted hair and peach fuzz

I wax my upper lip or would pluck as a last resort.

I think using a vaseline type product as an overnight face mask works wonders. Just really hydrates your skin and soothes sensitive areas. I use aquaphor ointment, but Elizabeth Arden 8 hour cream is better as it has salicylic acid

I'm wondering about home keratin kits for smoothing hair... had anyone used one?

I've heard mixed reviews about the home keratin treatment kits. There might be some reviews on youtube.

MurrayTheMonk one of the most r3cent videos on YouTube from NadineBagot is on this topic but not sure if it touches on home kits as I haven’t watched. It might have some useful info. My DD had some brazilian something or another a few years ago and I remember it was very expensive and she had to use a particular expensive shampoo and conditioner. Whatever I looked up about it beforehand convinced me it had to be done professionally, very rarely and not worth’s the risk of trying it at home. I wouldn’t have it done in a salon and I wouldn’t do it myself, for some reason I convinced myself it’s not that good. Saying that, things might have improved by now so try searching for reviews and articles, google keratin treatment trichologist and see if there’s any useful info.
This comes from a person who would never have manicures with Shellac and the likes - I’m too overcautious sometimes.

I've had it done at the hairdresser before just don't think I dare risk it at home. Plus it's a lot of faff with the three times straightening of each bit of hair etc.
Will spend some of my overtime money that I'm earning living in my care home just now when all this is over and get it done properly I think!

Every now and again (say once a month or so) I add bicarbonate of soda or activated charcoal to my toothpaste. Both remove stains and give you an amazing clean-teeth feeling. Don't do it too often though as both are abrasive.

I also dermaplane and microneedle.